Automobile abstract



July 3L 1928.

C. BIRD AUTOMOBILE ABSTRACT Filed Dec. 14, 1926 Patented July 31, 1928.

UNITED STATES CLIFFTON BIRD, OF HARDESTY, OKLAHOMA.

AUTOMOBILE ABSTRACT.

Application filed December 14, 1926. Serial No. 154,747.

This invention relates to an improved device which may be conveniently defined as an abstract and holding device therefor which is especially adapted for use in connection with automobiles and similar vehicles.

hat T aim to do is to provide a device to form a permanent part of an automobile. and for containing a record sheet forvreception of various transactions concerning the ownership of the particular machine, rtogether with the date of manufacture, the factory number, and other useful data in identifying a particular machine and its proper owner. Y i

It has been observed that although many stolen cars areobtained by the authorities from time to time, it is difficultfor the alleged owner to conclusively prove his ownership due to the fact that many machines of the same source of manufacture are almost identical in appearance.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a means which is preferably associated with the automobile engine to permit a claimed machine to be readily identied in order that it may be returned to the rightful owner.

The specific construction of the improved device, together with the advantages and features will become apparent fromfthe following description and drawing.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FigureV 1 is a side elevation of a device constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the device,

Fig. 3 is a side view of the rotary drum structure,

Fig. 4 is an end view of said drum structure, and

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

The device comprises a drum which is generally indicated by the reference character 1, the abstract strip 2 being adapted to be wound thereon. The drum comprises a pair of end plates 3 between which is a hollow hub l on the interior of which is a hollow shaft 5 open at its opposite end. The hub is provided with appropriately cupped Shy means of which the strip 2 the plates;

attached thereto. It will be noted that the end portions of the hollow shaft- 5veX- tend beyond the disk 3. This drum is arranged in a casing 7 of cylindrical form. The endl wall 8 of this casing is provided with a central opening` 9 for passage of the shank ofa key 10 which is adapted to be engaged with a cross pin 11 on the interior of the shaft for rotating the drum. On the inner case of this casing end is a recess for rotatable reception ofthe short extension on this end of the shaft 5. The end disk 3 bears against the inner face of the end p0rtion 8. At the opposite end of the drum and casing is a pawl and ratchet mechanism which includes a pair of .spaced parallel circular plates 12 and 13 connected together by pins 111. From Figure 2 it will be noted that the left-hand end extension of the shaft 5 extends rotatably through the central openings in the plates 12 and 13. A ratchet wheel 1 5 is keyed upon the shaft extension between Then, as shown in Fig. 5, a pawl is pivotally mounted as at 1G in a position to' engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel. A flat spring 17 serves to press this pawl into engagement with. said teeth. In the plate 12 is a keyhole slot 18 through which the dottedkey `19 is extended. This key 19 is of any suitable construction andthe handle thereof extends to the exterior of the struc- `ture so that by turning it inthe direction. `from right to left in Fig. 5 the pawl 16 can be disengaged from the ratchet wheel against the action of the spring 17. Atthis time I would direct attention to the provision of a slot 20 formed in the wall of the casing 7 to permit passage of the end portion of the data strip 2. Moreover, it will be noted that the entire'casing and its internal mechanism is enclosed in a housing 21 made up of detachably connected half-sections which are preferably screwed together. Washers 21 of appropriate material are interposed between the ends of the casing 7 and the adjacent end walls of the housing 21.

It is obvious that the strip 2 is secured 'by the means 6 to the hub 4 of the rotary drum, the same being combined between the circuvlar heads 3. It is wound upon the drum by inserting the tongues on the key10 through the opening 9 and engaging them with the cross pin'11 in the shaft 5. This rotates the drum and ratchet wheel with respect to the casing 7 and plates 12 and 13. Under the action of the pawl and ratchet wheel the drum can only rotate in one direction unless the pawl is disengaged by use of the teeth 19. After the data strip is wound into the casing, the entire unit is enclosed in the twopart housing which serves as a protecting means against grease, dirt, etcetera.

In practice I propose to arrange the entire device in the pocket which will be formed in a casing forming a part of the automobile engine. I would say here that the lrey is to be the property of a designated authority having power to take care of transactions dealing with the original purchase and resale of auton'iobiles. For example, it shall be compulsory in accordance with my idea to register each and every automobile which is purchased, and the clerk of the court, or other place having urisdiction will enter on the record sheet the name of the purchase, the name of the car, the factory,

number, and other data concerning the same so that it may be readily identified. As inatter of fact, it may be desirable to include on the record sheet a photograph of the purchaser. After this entry is made the record sheet is rolled on the reel through the slot in the casing into the interior of the casing. The locking pawl prevents it from being pulled out again. As before stated, the key will also be held by the proper authority at the recordation cour-t. `Whenever it is desired to resell the car, it sha-ll be compulsory for the second purchaser to register at the particular court designated, and to have the transaction mentioned on the record sheet. The owner of the car, not having a key, will be compelled to appear at this time to acknowledge the transfer. Each and every transfer shall be recorded in this manner. If the machine becomes stolen, the rightful owner with a device of this kind forming a part of the machine, can readily identify it and prove his ownership. rIhus, the main purpose of the device is to prevent theft of automobiles by unscrupulous and unauthorized purchasers, and to aid in locating the proper owner when the thief is captured.

It is believed by considering the description in connection with the drawing, persons familiar with devices of this class will be able to obtain ya clear understanding of the invention, therefore a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

Minor changes coming within the lield of invention claimed may be resorted to if dee sired.

I claim:

As a new article of manufacture, an automobile abstract ofv the class described, com'- prising a hollow cylindrical casing open at one end, the opposite end of the casing being provided with a central bearing opening, a drum mounted for rotation in said casing and including a pair of dislrlike heads, connected together by a hollow central shaft having its ends extending beyond the heads, one extending end being journaled for rotation in the aforesaid bearing openings, a

pawl and. ratchetmechanism fitted into the open end of the casing 'and 'embodying spaced parallel circular plates connected to gether and provided at their centers with bearings receiving the remaining extended portions of said shaft, the ratchet wheel carried by said last extended end portion of the shaft being located between said plates, a spring pressed pawl associated with said plates, and enga'geable with said ratchet wheel, and a sectional housing enclosing said vcasing and ratchet mechanism.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

CLIFFTON BIRD. 

